The dining room, complementary pendant

Rule 08.5 covers the pendant above the table. This rule covers the complete atmosphere of the dining room.

Beyond the table, the chairs and the pendant, a successful dining room ideally contains.

A piece of storage furniture. Sideboard, dresser, or simple console to store crockery and table linen.

A strong artwork on the wall. Large painting, large photograph, large mirror. The wall does not remain bare behind the table.

A plant or living object. Vase with flowers, potted plant. Brings something natural.

A rug (sometimes). To delimit the dining room zone, especially if it opens onto the living room.

This rule does not re-detail the pendant (see 08.5), it complements on the other atmosphere elements.

The sideboard or storage piece.

Ideally placed against the wall behind the chairs (long side of the table). Height 80-90 cm, length adapted to the room (1.40 m minimum, 2.40 m maximum). Brands such as Caravane, Tikamoon, Hay, Ferm Living.

The sideboard allows storing festive crockery, glassware, table linen. It also serves as a surface for laying out a cold buffet during receptions.

The artwork on the wall.

Large format (1 m × 1.40 m minimum) above the sideboard, or on the wall of the table. Height centred at 1.57 m from the floor (see rule 07.3). Artwork that dialogues with the room (subject, colours).

Alternative to the single format, the gallery wall (see rule 07.5), with 5-9 artworks in composition.

The plant or living object.

Plant. A large corner plant (see rule 07.6), or a medium plant on the sideboard.

Fresh flowers. On the table centred, in a medium vase (see rule 07.10). Renewed each week.

Dried branches. Economical alternative to flowers, last for months. Eucalyptus branches, cotton, pampas.

The rug (optional).

In a room dedicated to the dining room, not necessary (the table itself defines the zone).

In an open-plan living-dining room, a rug under the table visually delimits the meals zone. Dimensions, extending beyond the table by at least 60 cm on each side (so the chairs remain on it when pushed back). Material, washable or stain-resistant (jute, sisal, modern polypropylene). Avoid fragile viscose or wool.

Complete atmosphere.

A successful dining room is the table plus chairs plus pendant plus sideboard plus artwork plus plant. Five elements that coordinate.

In a small interior. If the dining room is integrated into the living room (a common case in a studio or one-bedroom), the sideboard and the artwork can be omitted. The table with its pendant is enough, complemented by a plant or a vase.

Pierre Yovanovitch designs his dining rooms as small reception salons. Bespoke sideboard in patinated wood, monumental artwork on the wall, armchairs at the heads of the table. Effect of prestige and refinement.

For families, the living sideboard (with a collection of ceramics, photos, cookery books) becomes an element of personality. Not a piece of furniture alone, a composed scene.